CANADA STOCKS-TSX may open lower, jobs and trade data eyed

Feb 8 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index futures pointed
to a slightly lower open on Friday, despite encouraging Chinese
trade data that set the scene for economic recovery. Canadian
jobs and housing data both came in weaker than expected.

TOP STORIES

* After two months of hefty gains Canada's economy
unexpectedly shed 21,900 jobs in January, almost entirely in
full-time work, according to Statistics Canada data released on
Friday.

* Canadian housing starts plunged in January as both single
and multiple starts fell, particularly in Ontario, Canada
Mortgage and Housing Corp said in a report that showed the
housing market was even weaker than expected.

* China's exports and imports surged and new lending soared
in January as the first hard data of the year signalled both a
solid recovery in domestic and overseas demand, and the risk
that inflationary pressures are building.

* European Union leaders agreed the framework of a new
long-term budget after 15 hours of negotiation, laying the
ground for 960 billion euros of spending on agriculture, aid and
scientific research in the years ahead.

* Credit rating agency Moody's Corp, which could face a
federal lawsuit tied to pre-crisis ratings, reported a 66
percent jump in quarterly profit as it benefited from a wave of
debt issues.